Internal thread grip fluid connector

ABSTRACT

A fluid connector that connects a first fluid system with a fluid port of a second fluid system for transferring fluids, including gaseous or liquid fluids, between the first and second fluid systems. The fluid connector can be used with differently configured, non-matching threaded fluid ports and allow for misalignment/tipping of the fluid connector to maintain a seal with the fluid port.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a fluid connector that can be used to, forexample, connect a first fluid system with a second fluid system fortransferring fluids, including gaseous or liquid fluids, between thefirst and second fluid systems, or for sealing a fluid system using thefluid connector.

BACKGROUND

An example of an existing fluid connector is described in U.S. Pat. No.4,688,830. As described in this patent, the connector is designed to behand threaded into a threaded port to permit transfer of fluids throughthe connector. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,830, the threads on the connectorare designed to match the threads on the threaded port.

Another example of an existing fluid connector is described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,950,679. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,679, the threads on the colletsare designed to match the threads on the threaded port to which itconnects. Other examples of fluid connectors include those disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,788,290 and 4,716,938.

SUMMARY

Fluid connectors are described that connect a first fluid system with afluid port of a second fluid system for transferring fluids, includinggaseous or liquid fluids, between the first and second fluid systems, orfor sealing a fluid system using the fluid connector. The describedfluid connectors are provided with a number of unique features, that canbe used individually or in any combination thereof, that allow a singledescribed fluid connector to be used with differently configured fluidports.

A fluid connector described herein can include a sleeve and a connectorbody that can tilt relative to one another at an angle relative to thelongitudinal axis of the fluid connector. The tilting allows the fluidconnector to misalign with the fluid port the fluid connector isconnected to, while the fluid connector still maintains its seal withthe second fluid system.

In addition, a fluid connector described herein is designed to gripagainst internal threads of the fluid port. For example, the fluidconnector can have external threads. The fluid connector does not havethreads that match the internal threads of the fluid port as in typicalfluid connectors. Instead, the fluid connector grips against one or morecrests of the internal threads. Since the external threads of thedescribed fluid connector do not actually mate with the internal threadsof the fluid port, a single described fluid connector can be used withdifferent fluid ports that have different thread configurations.

In addition, a fluid connector described herein can include a colletassembly having a plurality of collets that are movable between anexpanded position and a collapsed position, and the collet assembly is asingle piece, unitary construction.

In addition, a fluid connector described herein can include first andsecond handles connected to a piston of the fluid connector at oppositediametric locations so that the first and second handles oppose oneanother, and the first and second handles can be manually actuated toactuate the piston from a default position to a connection position.

The tilting of the sleeve, the mismatch between the threads, the singlepiece, unitary construction of the collet assembly, the opposing firstand second handles for actuating the piston, or the fluid actuation ofthe piston in the fluid connector, can be used in combination with oneanother as illustrated and described herein, individually and separatelyby themselves in fluid connectors, or in any combination thereof.

As described in further detail herein, a fluid connector that fluidlyconnects a first fluid system with a fluid port of a second fluid systemcan include a body, a collet assembly with a plurality of collets, asleeve, a piston, and a longitudinal axis. A seal is disposed betweenthe sleeve and the collet assembly and the seal is positioned to sealwith the second fluid system to prevent fluid leakage between the fluidconnector and the second fluid system when the fluid connector isconnected to the fluid port. The body, the collet assembly and thepiston can tilt relative to the sleeve at an angle greater than 1 degreewith the seal maintaining sealing engagement with the second fluidsystem to prevent fluid leakage between the fluid connector and thesecond fluid system.

As also described in further detail herein, a fluid connector thatfluidly connects a first fluid system with a fluid port of a secondfluid system can include a body, a collet assembly with a plurality ofcollets, a sleeve, a piston, and a longitudinal axis. Each collet of theplurality of collets includes exterior threads, the fluid port includesinterior threads, and the exterior threads do not match the interiorthreads. For example, the exterior threads can have a threads per inchthat is greater than, for example 2 times greater than, a threads perinch of the interior threads.

As also described in further detail herein, a fluid connector thatfluidly connects a first fluid system with a fluid port of a secondfluid system can include a body, a collet assembly with a plurality ofcollets, a sleeve, a piston, and a longitudinal axis. The colletassembly is a single piece, unitary construction and the plurality ofcollets are movable between an expanded position and a collapsedposition.

As also described in further detail herein, a fluid connector thatfluidly connects a first fluid system with a fluid port of a secondfluid system can include a generally cylindrical construction thatincludes a body, a collet assembly with a plurality of collets, asleeve, a piston, and a longitudinal axis. First and second handles areconnected to the piston at opposite diametric locations so that thefirst and second handles oppose one another, and the first and secondhandles can be manually actuated to actuate the piston from a defaultposition to a connection position.

As also described in further detail herein, a fluid connector thatfluidly connects a first fluid system with a fluid port of a secondfluid system can include a body, a collet assembly with a plurality ofcollets, a sleeve, a piston, and a longitudinal axis. The colletassembly surrounds the piston and the collets are movable between anexpanded position and a collapsed position. The body surrounds thepiston and the collet assembly. The sleeve surrounds the body, thecollet assembly, and the piston, and the sleeve is biased in a firstdirection parallel to the longitudinal axis by a sleeve spring. Thepiston is slideably disposed within the body and the collet assembly forsliding movement relative thereto in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis between a default position and connection positionpermitting connection with the fluid port of the second fluid system.The piston is biased by a piston spring in a second direction, oppositethe first direction, parallel to the longitudinal axis so that thepiston is biased by the piston spring toward the default position to adefault connected position. In addition, the piston includes a colletactuation portion that controls movements of the plurality of colletsbetween the expanded position and the collapsed position. The colletactuation portion is engaged with the plurality of collets to force thecollets to the expanded position when the piston is at the defaultposition, and the collet actuation portion permits movement of theplurality of collets to the collapsed position when the piston is at theconnection position. A seal is disposed between the sleeve and thecollet assembly and is positioned to seal with the second fluid systemto prevent fluid leakage between the fluid connector and the secondfluid system. In addition, the body, the collet assembly and the pistoncan tilt relative to the sleeve at an angle greater than 1 degree withthe seal maintaining sealing engagement with the second fluid system toprevent fluid leakage between the fluid connector and the second fluidsystem.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a perspective view of a fluid connector described herein.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fluid connector ofFIG. 1 with the fluid connector in a default or home position.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fluid connectorsimilar to FIG. 2 with the fluid connector in a connection position.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the fluid connector in the connection positionprior to connection to a fluid port of a second fluid system, with FIG.4A being a partial cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 4B.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the fluid connector in the default or home positionafter connection to the fluid port of the second fluid system.

FIG. 6 is a close-up detailed view of the interface between the fluidconnector and the fluid port of the second fluid system.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fluid connectorsimilar to FIG. 3 with a side load applied causing the sleeve of theconnector to tilt.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the single piece, unitary constructionof the collet assembly that can be used on the fluid connector.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of anotherembodiment of a fluid connector where the collets of the fluid connectoruse a single external thread.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofa fluid connector that is actuated by a fluid such as air.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of a fluid connector 10is illustrated. In this example, the fluid connector 10 is a generallycylindrical construction that includes a body 12, a collet assembly 14with a plurality of collets 16, a sleeve 18, a piston 20, and alongitudinal axis A-A. The fluid connector 10 can be used to, forexample, fluidly connect a first fluid system (not shown) with a fluidport 22 (see FIGS. 4B, 5B, 6 and 7) of a second fluid system fortransferring fluids, including gaseous or liquid fluids, between thefirst and second fluid systems, or the fluid connector 10 can connect tothe fluid port 22 of the second fluid system for sealing the secondfluid system using the fluid connector 10.

The fluid connector 10 can accommodate side loads applied to the fluidconnector 10, while maintaining its seal with the second fluid system toprevent fluid leakage between the fluid connector 10 and the secondfluid system.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the body 12 is a generally elongated, generallycylindrical structure that surrounds portions of the piston 20 and thecollet assembly 14. The body 12 has a first or front end 24 and a secondor rear end 26. At or near the first end 24, the body 12 includes aradially outward facing channel 30 in which a sleeve seal 32 isdisposed. The sleeve seal 32 seals with an interior surface of thesleeve 18.

The piston 20 is a generally elongated, generally cylindrical structurewith a first or front end 34 and a second or rear end 36. The piston 20is slideably disposed within the body 12 and the collet assembly 14 forsliding movement relative thereto in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis A-A between a default position (FIG. 2) and aconnection position (FIG. 3) permitting connection with the fluid port22 of the second fluid system. A piston spring 38 is engaged between thepiston 20 and the body 12 to bias the piston 20 in a direction towardthe right in FIGS. 2 and 3 parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A so thatthe piston 20 is biased to the default position. A central fluid flowchannel 40 is formed at least partially through the piston 20 from thesecond end 36 toward the first end 34. In this embodiment, the fluidflow channel 40 stops short of the first end 34. Instead, one or moreradial passageways 42 are formed through the piston 20 that place theflow channel 40 in fluid communication with an exterior of the piston 20to permit fluid flow through the piston 20.

The first end 34 of the piston 20 includes a collet actuation portion 44that controls movements of the plurality of collets 16 between anexpanded position (FIG. 2) and a collapsed position (FIG. 3) as thepiston 20 is actuated between the default position (FIG. 2) and theconnection position (FIG. 3). The collet actuation portion 44 can haveany configuration that is suitable for actuating the collets 16. In theillustrated example, the collet actuation portion 44 is a frusto-conicalmember disposed at the first end 34 of the piston 20. The frusto-conicalmember includes a tapered outer surface 46 that tapers or reduces indiameter from the first end 34 toward the second end 36. The taperedouter surface 46 of the collet actuation portion 44 is engaged with theplurality of collets 16 to force the collets 16 to the expanded positionwhen the piston 20 is at the default position, and the tapered outersurface 46 permits movement of the plurality of collets 16 to thecollapsed position when the piston 20 is at the connection position. Thesmall diameter end of the frusto-conical member is connected to a solidportion 48 of the piston 20 that separates the flow channel 40 from thecollet actuation portion 40.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the piston 20 includes a radially outwardfacing channel 50 in which a piston seal 52 is disposed. The piston seal52 seals with an interior surface of the body 12 to prevent leakage offluid between the piston 20 and the body 12. To the rear of the pistonseal 52, a retaining ring 54 is arranged in a groove to hold handles 56a, 56 b (described further below) in place such that the handles 56 a,56 b retain the piston 20 relative to the body 12.

To actuate the piston 20 from the default position (FIG. 2) to theconnection position (FIG. 3), first and second handles 56 a, 56 b areconnected to the piston 20 at opposite diametric locations of the piston20 so that the first and second handles 56 a, 56 b oppose one another.The first and second handles 56 a, 56 b can be manually actuated toactuate the piston 20 from the default position to the connectionposition against the biasing force of the piston spring 38, with thepiston spring 38 returning the piston 20 back to the default positionwhen the handles 56 a, 56 b are released. The handles 56 a, 56 b canhave any construction suitable for actuating the piston 20. For example,in the illustrated example, each handle 56 a, 56 b comprises an L-shapedconstruction, with a leg portion 58 extending through the body 12 andinto a slot 60 formed in the outer surface of the piston 20, and a stemportion 62 extending from the leg portion 58 at an angle to thelongitudinal axis A-A. The end of each of the leg portions 58 ispivotally supported in the respective slot 60 to allow the handles 56 a,56 b to be manually pivoted or actuated toward one another by manuallypressing on the handles 56 a, 56 b. As shown in FIG. 3, the stemportions 62 of the handles 56 a, 56 b can be actuated to a positionwhere they are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A, orthe stem portions 62 can be actuated even further toward the body 12. Asthe handles 56 a, 56 b pivot, they force the piston to the connectionposition (or to the left in FIGS. 2 and 3). Upon releasing the handles56 a, 56 b, the piston spring 38 returns the piston 20 back to thedefault position and returning the handles 56 a, 56 b to their angledposition shown in FIG. 2.

The collet assembly 14 with the plurality of collets 16 mechanicallyconnect the fluid connector 10 with the fluid port 22. The colletassembly 14 is a generally elongated, generally cylindrical structurethat surrounds a portion of the piston 20, and that is surrounded by aportion of the body 12 and by the sleeve 18. The collet assembly 14 issecured to the body 12 so that the collet assembly 14 is fixed relativeto the piston 20 and does not move with the piston 20 in the directionof the longitudinal axis A-A.

The collet assembly 14 can have any construction that is suitable forachieving the functions of the collet assembly 14. For example,referring to FIGS. 2-3 and 8, the collet assembly 14 can be a singlepiece, unitary construction with a ring-shaped first or rear end 70 andthe collets 16 integrally formed with and extending forwardly from therear end 70 to a second or front end 72. As best seen in FIG. 8, therear end 70 includes a slot 74 that allows the rear end 70 of the colletassembly 14 to flex or collapse and snap into a groove 76 (seen in FIGS.2 and 3) formed on the inner surface of the body 12. The thickness ofthe rear end 70 is slightly enlarged to allow the snap fit engagementwith the groove 76 to lock the collet assembly 14 to the body 12.

Returning to FIG. 8, the collet assembly 14 is illustrated as having sixintegrally formed collets 16, however a larger or smaller number ofcollets 16 can be used. The collets 16 have slots 78 formed therebetweenthat allow fluid to flow between the collets 16 and to or from theradial passageways 42. The slots 78 also permit the collets 16 to flexradially from the collapsed position to the expanded position under theforce from the collet actuation portion 44. The construction of thecollet assembly 14 is such that the collets 16 are naturally biased tothe collapsed position so that the collets 16 return automatically tothe collapsed position when the collet actuation portion 44 is actuatedto the connection position shown in FIG. 3. This permits the ends of thecollets 16 to be inserted into the port 22 for connection.

The ends 72 of the collets 16 are configured for connection with theport 22. The ends 72 can have any construction suitable for achievingthe connection described herein. For example, in the illustrated examplein FIGS. 2-3 and 8, the end 72 of each collet 16 is provided with aplurality of external threads 80. In an alternative embodimentillustrated in FIG. 9, the end of each collet 16 is provided with alesser number of threads, for example a single thread 82. The threads80, 82 are configured to grip internal threads 84 of the port 22. Theinternal threads 84 can be seen in FIGS. 5A, 6-7 and 9.

Unlike the threads in the fluid connector described in U.S. Pat. No.4,688,830, the threads 80, 82 are not designed to match the threads 84on the threaded port 22. Instead, the threads 80, 82 are configured togrip on the crests of the internal threads 84 and between the threads 84providing an effective grip with the threaded port 22. Since the threads80, 82 do not actually mate with the threads 84, the connector 10 can bemade to work with multiple threaded ports 22.

In one embodiment, the exterior threads 80 have a threads per inch thatis greater than a threads per inch of the interior threads 84 of thethreaded port 22. For example, the threads per inch of the threads 80can be approximately 2 times the threads per inch of the threads 84.However, other ratios can be used.

Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the sleeve 18 is a generally elongated,generally cylindrical structure that surrounds portions of the body 12,a portion of the collet assembly 14, and a portion of the piston 20. Thesleeve 18 has a first or front end 90 and a second or rear end 92. Aradially inwardly extending flange 94 is formed on the interior of thesleeve 18 near the end 90. A main seal 96 is disposed within the sleeve18 at the end 90. The main seal 96 is positioned to seal against an endface 98 of the port 22 (see, for example, FIG. 6) when the connector 10is connected to the port 22 to prevent fluid leakage.

Returning to FIGS. 2-3, a sleeve spring 100 is disposed between theflange 94 and the end 24 of the body 12. The sleeve spring 100 biasesthe sleeve 18 in a first direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A-Atoward the left in FIGS. 2-3. In addition, a retaining ring 102 isengaged with the sleeve 18 to retain the sleeve 18 on the body 12.

There is a single point of contact between the sleeve 18 and the body12. This single point of contact is formed by the sleeve seal 32. Due tothis single point of contact, the sleeve 18 and the rest of theconnector 10 can tilt relative to one another. In particular, the restof the connector 10 tilts relative to the sleeve 18. Tilting may becaused by side loading that is applied to the connector 10 from a hosethat is attached to a termination port 104 of the connector 10. Thesleeve 18 is designed to allow relative tilting over a range of motionwith the main seal 96 maintaining sealing engagement with the end face98 of the port 22 to prevent fluid leakage between the fluid connector10 and the port 22.

Referring to FIG. 7, the sleeve 18 is designed to be able to tilt overan angle α relative to the longitudinal axis A-A while maintaining theseal. In one embodiment, the angle α is equal to or greater than 1degree. In another embodiment, the angle α is between 1 degree and 10degrees. In still another embodiment, the angle α is between 1 degreeand 8 degrees. In still another embodiment, the angle α is between 1degree and 5 degrees. In these disclosed ranges of the angle α, the word“between” is intended to include numbers between the two end points, butalso includes the end points as well. For example, the phrase between 1and 10 degrees is intended to encompass all numbers between 1 and 10degrees, but also 1 degree and 10 degrees.

The connector 10 operates as follows. The piston spring 38 pulls thepiston 20 backwards relative to the body 12 and the collets 16 forcingthe tapered surface 46 of the collet actuation portion 44 to wedge thecollets 16 outward and grip the internal threads 84 of the port 22. SeeFIGS. 5A and 6. To begin the connection, the handles 56 a, 56 b aredepressed (i.e. squeezed). This forces the piston 20 and the colletactuation portion 44 forward (or to the left in FIGS. 2 and 3), whichallows the collets 16 to automatically retract to their default orcollapsed position. This prepares the connector 10 for connection to theport 22.

To connect to the port 22, while the handles 56 a, 56 b are depressed,the connector 10 is pushed firmly against the port 22 with the ends ofthe collets 16 within the interior of the port 22. This will compressthe sleeve spring 100 and the main seal 96 is pressed against the endface 98. When the handles 56 a, 56 b are released, the piston spring 38pulls the piston 20 and the collet actuation portion 44 back, with thetapered surface 46 of the collet actuation portion 44 forcing thecollets 16 open to the expanded position to engage the internal threadsof the port 22. The piston spring 38 will provide enough force to makethe initial grip of the threads 80, 84. As the actuation portion 44pulls back, the collets 16 will wedge against the threads of the port 22and limit the movement of the piston 20. This limitation of movementwill take the force off the handles 56 a, 56 b.

Referring to FIG. 6, by having the threads per inch of the threads 80 ofthe collets 16 greater than the threads per inch of the threads 84 ofthe port 22, the threads 80 will effectively grip not only on the crestsof the threads 84 but also slightly between the threads 84. That way, anexacting matching of the threads is not required, which allows for oneset of collets 16 to grip many sizes of threads so that the connector 10can be used with ports 22 having different internal threads.

Once fluid pressure is introduced into the connector 10, the piston 20will proportionally pull backwards further forcing the collets 16 openand enhancing the gripping capabilities. The sleeve 18 will also bepressurized to push against the face 98 of the port 22 further enhancingthe main seal 96 capabilities.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofa fluid connector 200. In this embodiment, elements in the fluidconnector 200 that are similar or identical in construction to elementsin the fluid connector 10 are referenced using the same referencenumerals. In the fluid connector 200, instead of having the handles 56a, 56 b to actuate the piston 20, the fluid connector 200 includes apiston 220 that is actuated by a fluid. The piston 220 can be actuatedusing any suitable fluid. For example, the piston 220 can be actuated byair in which case the piston 220 can be referred to as beingpneumatically actuated. Alternatively, the piston 220 can be actuated byhydraulic fluid in which case the piston 220 can be referred to as beinghydraulically actuated.

The fluid connector 200 is a generally cylindrical construction thatincludes a body 202, the collet assembly 14 with the plurality ofcollets 16, the sleeve 18, the piston 220, and the longitudinal axisA-A. The fluid connector 200 can be used to, for example, fluidlyconnect a first fluid system (not shown) with the fluid port 22 (seeFIGS. 4B, 5B, 6 and 7) of a second fluid system for transferring fluids,including gaseous or liquid fluids, between the first and second fluidsystems, or the fluid connector 200 can connect to the fluid port 22 ofthe second fluid system for sealing the second fluid system using thefluid connector 200.

As with the fluid connector 10, the fluid connector 200 can accommodateside loads applied to the fluid connector 200, while maintaining itsseal with the second fluid system to prevent fluid leakage between thefluid connector 200 and the second fluid system.

The body 202 is a generally elongated, generally cylindrical structurethat surrounds portions of the piston 220 and the collet assembly 14. Inthis embodiment, the body 202 is a two-piece construction with a frontbody portion 202 a and a rear body portion 202 b. The front body portion202 a defines the first or front end 24 with the radially outward facingchannel 30 in which the sleeve seal 32 is disposed, while the rear bodyportion 202 b defines the second or rear end 26.

A front end of the rear body portion 202 b defines a cylindrical chamber204, with a rear end of the front body portion 202 a being slidablyreceived within the chamber 204. A retaining ring 206 retains the rearend of the front body portion 202 a within the chamber 204.

The piston 220 is somewhat similar in construction to the piston 20, inparticular the front end 34. However, the piston 220 includes a radiallyoutward extending, circumferential flange 222 that forms an actuatingpiston. The flange 222 is slidably disposed within the chamber 204between the rear end of the front body portion 202 a and the end wall ofthe chamber 204. The radial outer perimeter edge of the flange 222 has acircumferential channel 224 in which is received a seal 226 thatprovides a fluid tight seal between the flange 222 and an interiorsurface of the portion of the rear body portion 202 b defining thechamber 204. A piston spring 228, similar in function to the pistonspring 38, is engaged between the flange 222 and the front body portion202 a to bias the flange 222 and the piston 220 in a direction towardthe right in FIG. 10 parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A so that thepiston 220 is biased to the default position. A fluid chamber 230 isdefined between the right side of the flange 222 and the end wall of thechamber 204 to receive an actuating fluid, such as air, to actuate thepiston 220 to the left in FIG. 10 against the biasing force of thepiston spring 228. In addition, a seal 234 seals between an innersurface of the rear body portion 202 b and an outer surface of thepiston 220.

In use, actuating fluid is directed into the fluid chamber 230 throughan inlet port 232 that is formed in the rear body portion 202 b. Bydirecting a pressurized actuating fluid into or from the fluid chamber230, movement of the piston 220 can be controlled for connection anddisconnection. The function and operation of the fluid connector 200 isotherwise identical to the function and operation of the fluid connector10.

By the way the connectors 10, 200 grip against the threads 84, and notinto the threads as is the case in the fluid connector described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,688,830, the connectors 10, 200 could tip and lose seal withthe port 22. The tipping can be caused, for example, by the side loadthat is applied to the connectors 10, 200 from a hose attached to thetermination port 104 of the connectors 10, 200. To accommodate thispotential tipping condition, the bodies 12, 202 are designed to tiprelative to the sleeve 18 which stays flush to the port 22 and sealsagainst the end face 98.

The tilting of the sleeve 18, the mismatch between the threads 80, 84,the single piece, unitary construction of the collet assembly 14, theopposing first and second handles 56 a, 56 b for actuating the piston20, or the fluid actuation of the piston 220 in the fluid connector 200,can be used in combination with one another as illustrated and describedherein, individually and separately by themselves in fluid connectors,or in any combination thereof.

The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the inventionis indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription; and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A fluid connector that fluidly connects afirst fluid system with a fluid port of a second fluid system,comprising: a generally cylindrical construction that includes a body, acollet assembly with a plurality of collets, a sleeve, a piston, and alongitudinal axis; the collet assembly surrounds the piston, and theplurality of collets are movable between an expanded position and acollapsed position; the body surrounds the piston and the colletassembly, the body includes a first end and a second end; the sleevesurrounds the body, the collet assembly, and the piston, and the sleeveis biased in a first direction parallel to the longitudinal axis by asleeve spring, the sleeve includes a first end and a second end, and thesecond end of the body extends past the second end of the sleeve; thepiston is slideably disposed within the body and the collet assembly forsliding movement relative thereto in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis between a default position and connection positionpermitting connection with the fluid port of the second fluid system;the piston is biased by a piston spring in a second direction, oppositethe first direction, parallel to the longitudinal axis so that thepiston is biased by the piston spring to the default position; thepiston includes a collet actuation portion that controls movements ofthe plurality of collets between the expanded position and the collapsedposition, the collet actuation portion is engaged with the plurality ofcollets to force the collets to the expanded position when the piston isat the default position, and the collet actuation portion permitsmovement of the plurality of collets to the collapsed position when thepiston is at the connection position; a seal disposed between the sleeveand the collet assembly and positioned to seal with the second fluidsystem to prevent fluid leakage between the fluid connector and thesecond fluid system; and the body, the collet assembly and the pistonare tiltable relative to the sleeve at an angle greater than 1 degreewith the seal maintaining sealing engagement with the second fluidsystem to prevent fluid leakage between the fluid connector and thesecond fluid system.
 2. The fluid connector of claim 1, wherein theangle is between 1 degree and 10 degrees.
 3. The fluid connector ofclaim 1, wherein the angle is between 1 degree and 8 degrees.
 4. Thefluid connector of claim 1, wherein the angle is between 1 degree and 5degrees.
 5. The fluid connector of claim 1, wherein each collet of theplurality of collets includes exterior threads, the fluid port includesinterior threads, and the exterior threads do not match the interiorthreads.
 6. The fluid connector of claim 5, wherein the exterior threadshave a threads per inch that is greater than a threads per inch of theinterior threads.
 7. The fluid connector of claim 1, wherein the colletassembly is a single piece, unitary construction.
 8. The fluid connectorof claim 1, further comprising first and second handles connected to thepiston at opposite diametric locations so that the first and secondhandles oppose one another, and the first and second handles can bemanually actuated to actuate the piston.
 9. The fluid connector of claim1, wherein the piston includes an actuating piston and a fluid chamberis defined between the actuating piston and the body that receives anactuating fluid that acts on the actuating piston to actuate the piston.10. A fluid connector that fluidly connects a first fluid system with afluid port of a second fluid system, comprising: a generally cylindricalconstruction that includes a body, a collet assembly with a plurality ofcollets, a sleeve, a piston, and a longitudinal axis; a seal disposedbetween the sleeve and the collet assembly and positioned to seal withthe second fluid system to prevent fluid leakage between the fluidconnector and the second fluid system; and the body, the collet assemblyand the piston are tiltable relative to the sleeve at an angle greaterthan 1 degree with the seal maintaining sealing engagement with thesecond fluid system to prevent fluid leakage between the fluid connectorand the second fluid system.
 11. The fluid connector of claim 10,wherein the angle is between 1 degree and 10 degrees.
 12. The fluidconnector of claim 10, wherein the angle is between 1 degree and 8degrees.
 13. The fluid connector of claim 10, wherein the angle isbetween 1 degree and 5 degrees.
 14. The fluid connector of claim 10,wherein the collet assembly is a single piece, unitary construction.